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1% School Facilities Sales Tax Back on the Ballot for April 7th

Election Day is April 7th, 2015. It’s called a Consolidated Election and consists of Village Trustee and City Aldermen Races, but at the bottom of the bal...

Election Day is April 7th, 2015.

It's called a Consolidated Election and consists of Village Trustee and City Aldermen Races, but at the bottom of the ballot there's a question:

"Shall a retailers' occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a "sales tax") be imposed in The County of Rock Island, Illinois, at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes?"

For the third time in six years, voters in Rock Island County will decide if they want to raise the sales tax by 1% to pay for school facility improvements. The measure failed in 2009 and 2014.

Yes Makes Sense

Those who support the tax say students deserve better and safer learning environments.

"When you talk to the different Superintendents in the county, it's hard to get past the immediate needs - the roofs, the boilers, the tuck-pointing, the safety and security provided to the front so that we can make sure our kids are safe while they're learning," explained Sarah Bohnsack, Co-Chair of the "Yes Makes Sense" Committee. "This source also gives us a chance to dream big and do some great things throughout Rock Island County and provide some collaboration amongst the school districts."

Bohnsack adds that in light of Illinois' financial crisis, school districts do not have many other options for revenue.

"They really don't have another option for funding facilities other than property taxes."

Vote No 2 Tax

However, others say any kind of tax is not better for residents.

"Simply raising taxes to improve our schools will not help bring more people into Rock Island County," explained Lawrence Bay, with Vote No 2 Tax. "It'll actually help to chase people away, chase businesses away. We'll lose jobs and those of us who stay here in Rock Island County, our taxes will have to go up some way or another to make up the difference."

Bay adds that Rock Island County's sales tax is already higher than Scott County's. Currently, Rock Island County's sales tax is 7.5% and Scott County's sales tax is 7%.

"Many will decide to do the bulk of their shopping and dining in Iowa."

The Facts

Despite the debate, the fact is that in the Quad City Area, every county that surrounds Rock Island County has passed a 1% sales tax for school facilities.

1% School Facilities Sales Tax Back on the Ballot for April 7th

Supporters say it's time to join the others.

"If you're passionate about this and you want to improve your school systems you really need to get out and vote," said Bohnsack.

Opponents say it's time to do something different.

"We all want our schools to be good," said Bay. "I don't think anybody is against our schools, but this sales tax is the wrong way to do it."

Voting Information

If you are unable to vote on April 7th, Early Voting has already started in Rock Island County. For more information, click here.

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